Free blood pressure checks as part of Know Your Numbers Week from 18-24 September 2017.
NHS Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is backing the campaign and urging patients to visit www.bloodpressureuk.org to find their nearest pressure station. The free checks will be taking place in many local pharmacies in Milton Keynes.
Blood Pressure UK has over 1,000 'Pressure Stations' across the UK offering free blood pressure checks. In the UK high blood pressure is the third biggest risk factor for all disease after smoking and poor diet.*
Half of people with high blood pressure are not diagnosed or receiving treatment*. In England alone there are more than five million people that are undiagnosed*.High blood pressure rarely has any symptoms, which is why it is called the ‘silent killer’. The only way to know you have the condition is to get your blood pressure measured.
The tests, which help patients review whether their blood pressure count is within a normal, high or low range, can play a significant role in reducing harm caused by heart attacks, strokes and other serious health complications resulting from high or low blood pressure.
The ideal blood pressure range is below 120 over 80 (120/80mmHg) but most adults in the UK have readings from 120/80mmHg to 140/90mmHg. High blood pressure can cause heart attacks, strokes and other serious health problems.
The checks will be undertaken by fully- qualified staff, with vital follow-up guidance given as necessary. Resources and tips from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) on how to keep your heart healthy by reducing your blood cholesterol, changing diet, keeping active, reducing salt intake and maintaining a healthy weight will also be available.
Dr Nicola Smith, Chair of NHS Milton Keynes CCG, said:
“Knowing your blood pressure numbers really does count so we’d urge everyone to get their blood pressure levels tested during Know Your Numbers Week.
“Around one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, but most of the time they will not know it. Yet it’s responsible for causing very serious illnesses including heart attacks, which can be fatal. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, but there is positive action that you can take to lower your blood pressure.”
Having a blood pressure test can also help people to find out whether their blood pressure is too low. In general low blood pressure is good news, but in some cases it might be triggered by medicines or a long-term illness such as diabetes.
*Source: Blood Pressure UK http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/mediacentre/Factsandfigures
